Here are a few photos that might interest some people here. These are grown by the same family every year here in the ground. They germinate them in the house during Dec-Feb and then plant them out in front & sides of house every March. They remain until the frost kills them in late Dec. or Jan. They have about 12-15 surrounding the house and every one is loaded with fruit.

Good pictures Lazz. Does their fruit ripe?

I grew some during the Summer of 2004. They made very large plants, but the fruit was produced too late to ripen. I used seed from some fruit purchased at the grocery store. The fruit I brought did not impress me as far as taste is concerned, but I am told that fresh fruit is delicious. Fruit aside, they make an interesting plants.

There are some varieties that are supposed make smaller plants and are self pollinating - I think I remember that they make fruit over a shorter period too. I think those might do better for us. I believe I read that the self-pollinating types were grown in Hawaii. I looked for fruit from there, but never saw any - guess it all goes to the West Coast. I did find that you could buy seed off the internet.

Hi Ned. Yes they do ripen, they turn a reddish orange. They are here every year. I don't know the variety, but the plants get to about 8 Ft.

Interesting. I grew some "pine island" papayas that I planted in April of 2004 as knee-high seedlings. They grew to 13 FEET of trunk and a couple of feet around in girth. However, only 3 fruit ripened completely ( out of probably 30-40). At the size it attained, it was "as hardy as it'll get". It took several hits in the 28-31 range with minimal damage. The first time it hit 26-27 degrees it was like instant death!

I grew 13 Papaya trees (Solo variety) in the ground inside my greenhuse. They all fruited and the fruit matured into very good tasting fruit. I have removed all but two trees, which are now about 12 feet tall. I have a Golden Maridol Papaya (Mexico native) now growing in the greenhouse, and it has just now begun to flower at 2-foot height. - Millet

That's amazing because I have container papaya that takes a beating in florida zone 9 in winter. I'd like to know if they get ripe as well.

Tamara

where did you obtain your original seeds Millet? Is there any possibility of me sending you a SASE for a few when you have a ripe fruit? (Golden Mardol short variety?) We have a long hot summer, and I am SO TIRED of watery-rear-end tasting papaya from the store. Havent gotten a good one the last 4 or so Ive tried, and ive gotten the most ripe and fragrant. I finally got mature looking seeds from the fruit I bought Sunday, but the fruit wasnt good tasting. All others have been under-developed seeds.

Garnetmoth, I purchase all my Papaya seed on the internet from Aloha Seed Company in Hawaii. They mail the seed quickly. Now would be a great time of year to start your growing . Here is their web site.
http://www.alohaseed.com/
Regards,
Millet

Super, thanks!
Ill have to read up on how to grow them, but I got so spoiled to tasty fruit last year in California im having a fit

Anyone ever try a so called "hardy" (zone 9) Babaco papaya? I believe it's botanical name is Carica heilborni pentagona.
Cheers, Barrie.